When is a part-time job worthwhile for pensioners

Frankfurt Finally retired, finally no longer working – that’s what many employees look forward to after decades in the job. But after the first euphoria, one or the other is followed by disillusionment. Either not enough money ends up in the account with the pension payments. Or the new way of doing nothing is simply too boring – or both. Then a part-time job helps.

Someone who earns something extra has to pay taxes and pension contributions. This in turn permanently increases the further old-age pension. Low-wage employment is the most tax-efficient. The limit for the mini-job was raised from 450 to 520 euros in October. If you combine this mini-job with other jobs, you can top up your pension by up to 840 euros tax-free every month.

The Handelsblatt explains how it works, whether seniors with a part-time job always have to file a tax return, and why it is rarely worth continuing to work full-time and postponing retirement.